Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 4.200-201
Service Comes Before Personal Ecstasy
“Whenever there is unselfish love, that is its style. The reservoir of love derives pleasure when the lovable object is pleased. When the pleasure of love interferes with the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the devotee becomes angry toward such ecstasy.”
What the purport teaches
- The gopīs are the predominated lovers, and Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the predominator, the beloved. Their love nourishes His love.
- The gopīs have no desire for selfish enjoyment. Their happiness depends on Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure, as is always the nature of causeless love of Godhead.
- Pure love is shown when the lover rejects even her own happiness if it hinders service. The devotee becomes angry toward ecstasy that interferes with serving Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Try this today
Complete one small service to Lord Kṛṣṇa today without making your own enjoyment the measure of its value.
Ask yourself
Do I value Kṛṣṇa’s service more than the pleasure I receive from it?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.